The thief had chosen the perfect moment: Annan had left the flowerpot behind, and Klein and the others were out.
That told him at least two things... Whoever had stolen the Otherworld Tree Branch knew what it could do, and knew their movements.
Annan looked grimly out the window. Were they being watched, or... was someone here working against them?
The City Lord's Mansion would need time to respond. Annan couldn't pin all his hopes on them. He took out Evil Spirit Chess and asked, "Magic Mirror, Magic Mirror, where is the Otherworld Tree Branch I lost?"
"The Flower Capital."
...That wasn't the answer Annan wanted.
Damn it. Why had Evil Spirit Chess become less useful after he figured out what it was?
There was another way. The Otherworld Tree Branch had come from the Merchant. He should be able to track it.
But Summoning the Merchant required a place with the presence of Oddities...
Annan thought of the Mousehole in the Tavern.
Before leaving, Annan told the remaining guards, "If the City Lord's Mansion sends someone to investigate, tell them I lost something extremely important. It's still in the Flower Capital."
"Yes, sir."
Annan climbed into a carriage and had the driver take him to the Tavern.
"Clear out all the customers," Annan told the owner who had been brought over from Free City.
The owner had no idea what had happened, but he complied. Fortunately, there weren't many customers during the day. A few discount vouchers were enough to send them on their way.
"You should leave us for now."
Once the Tavern's main hall was empty, Annan opened the Wooden Box the Merchant had given him.
Inside was an eyeball... exactly what Annan would expect from the Merchant and the world behind him.
What was he supposed